Oh my goodness, can I tell you how excited I am to share my absolute favorite long-blooming perennials with you?
After years of trying to keep my garden colorful all season (and failing miserably at first!), I’ve finally cracked the code.
These amazing plants keep flowering for months instead of weeks, which means less work for busy mamas like us and more time to actually enjoy our beautiful gardens!
Top 10 Long-Blooming Perennial Varieties
1. Catmint (Walker’s Low)
You guys, I can’t even tell you how much I love this plant! It’s been my garden bestie since I discovered it was the 2007 Perennial Plant of the Year.
Those gorgeous purple-blue flower spikes start showing off in late spring and just keep going until mid-autumn. Like, how amazing is that?
My favorite trick with this one is to give it a little haircut (just cut it back by half) after the first big bloom – trust me, it’ll reward you with even more flowers!
2. Geranium Rozanne
Let me introduce you to the ultimate “plant it and forget it” superstar of my garden. This is seriously the most low-maintenance plant ever!
It forms these adorable 12-18 inch mounds that are absolutely covered in stunning violet-blue flowers from early summer until frost.
Here’s a pro-mom tip: When the first flowers start looking a bit tired, just give it a quick trim (about one-third off the top) and boom – you’ll get another amazing show of flowers!
3. Bleeding Heart (Luxuriant)
For all my shade garden friends out there, this one’s for you! I actually discovered this gem when I was trying to brighten up that dark corner by my kids’ playhouse.
The heart-shaped blooms are just the sweetest thing ever, showing off in the prettiest shade of reddish pink all through late spring and summer.
I absolutely love how the ferny foliage adds such a lovely, woodland-garden feel to shady spots.
4. Allium Millennium
Okay friends, let me share a total garden game-changer! This beauty was crowned the 2018 Perennial Plant of the Year, and let me tell you – it totally deserves the crown!
Picture these adorable lavender-purple pom-poms, about 2 inches across, dancing above grassy foliage. My kids call them “fairy balls,” and they’re not wrong!
The best part? These cuties bloom for six whole weeks in summer, and the bees and butterflies absolutely go crazy for them. I actually had to teach my little ones not to chase the butterflies away because they were having such a party around these flowers!
5. Coneflower
Can we talk about how amazing coneflowers are? They’re like the superheros of the summer garden – they just keep blooming and blooming, even when it’s so hot and dry that everything else is giving up!
I’ve tried fancy new varieties, but honestly? The old-school ones like Magnus (with those gorgeous purple petals) and White Swan (those crisp white petals with orange centers – swoon!) are still my absolute favorites.
Pro tip from a busy mom: If you can find five minutes to snip off the dead flowers while you’re supervising outdoor playtime, these beauties will reward you with blooms from early summer right into fall!
6. Coreopsis Full Moon
Y’all, if you’re looking for a plant that gives you maximum bang for your buck, Full Moon coreopsis is IT! These sunny yellow flowers are about 3 inches across – we’re talking seriously show-stopping blooms here!
I planted these along my front walkway last year, and I can’t tell you how many neighbors have stopped to ask about them. They start blooming in early summer and just. Keep. Going.
The Moonbeam variety is another winner if you prefer softer yellow blooms. Just remember to snip off the spent flowers when you’re out watering – it’s like giving them a little pep talk to keep blooming!
7. Astilbe
Listen up, shade garden friends! If you’re struggling with a shady spot like I was, astilbe is about to become your new best friend. These gorgeous plants are total team players – they look fabulous in both sun AND shade!
The feathery flowers come in the prettiest colors imaginable – we’re talking everything from pure white to deep pink, and even rich purples. My daughter says they look like cotton candy on stems!
Just remember to keep them well-watered during dry spells. I learned this the hard way last summer, but once I got their water needs figured out, they bloomed their little hearts out from early summer right into winter!
8. Yarrow
Oh my goodness, if you haven’t tried yarrow yet, you’re in for such a treat! This is literally the plant that made my mother-in-law finally admit I have a green thumb (and that’s saying something!).
The flowers sit on top of stems that grow 2-4 feet tall, creating these amazing flat-topped bloomer clusters that look like little landing pads for butterflies. And trust me, the butterflies absolutely LOVE them!
Quick mom hack: Don’t go crazy with the fertilizer on these babies – I actually found out that too much love makes them floppy! Just plant them in full sun, give them well-drained soil, and they’ll reward you with 6-8 weeks of gorgeous blooms!
9. Black-Eyed Susan (Goldsturm)
Let me tell you about these sunshine-in-flower-form beauties! Goldsturm black-eyed Susans are literally the cheerleaders of my late summer garden, bringing so much energy when other plants are starting to look tired.
These two-foot-tall charmers rock the most amazing golden petals with chocolate brown centers. I planted mine in a big sweep along my driveway, and they make me smile every single time I come home!
The best part? They’re totally drought-tolerant, which means they keep looking fantastic even during those crazy hot August days when I’m too busy with back-to-school prep to remember to water!
10. Purple Flame Grass
Last but definitely not least, let’s talk about this absolute show-stopper! Purple Flame Grass is like getting three plants in one – I’m not even kidding!
It starts out with bright green foliage that grows to about 3-4 feet tall (perfect for hiding those not-so-pretty air conditioning units!). Then, in late summer, it puts on these gorgeous silvery white plumes that look like they’re glowing in the evening light.
But wait – there’s more! Come fall, the whole plant turns this incredible reddish-orange color that literally stops traffic on our street. The only maintenance it needs is a quick haircut in early spring before the new growth starts. How’s that for low-maintenance perfection?